By Thupeyo Muleya
Minister of Natural Resources Management Francis Nhema has urged communities living within transfrontier conservation areas to take an active role in preserving their natural and cultural resources.
He said a well-managed natural environment was beneficial to communities and the nation.
Minister Nhema made the remarks while addressing delegates and 600 cyclists and journalists from 19 countries at one of their rest camps at Sentinel Ranch last Friday night.
The tourists were here for the second edition of the Tour De Tuli cycling/mountain bike expedition that encompasses Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa.
This year’s theme was "Using Adventure to Build a Better World".
The minister commended the tourists for taking an interest in Zimbabwe and challenged them to be ambassadors of the country when they returned home.
The expedition was previously the preserve of Botswana, Mozambique and South Africa under the banner Tour de Kruger.
Minister Nhema reiterated that Government was committed to see Tour de Tuli growing from strength to strength.
"I am, therefore, convinced that your chosen routes offered you excellent opportunities for game viewing and learning about a rich ancestral and colonial history as well as a vibrant cultural heritage.
"I am quite certain that you came face to face with our history, nature and culture and interact with our communities living in and around the TFCA.
"With all the experience you have had here I hope you will be our ambassadors and share the good messages when you get back to your countries."
Minister Nhema also received a donation of 40 lap desks for rural schools.
"This donation comes in the wake of efforts by stakeholders to try and assist in the rehabilitation of Shashe Irrigation Scheme for the Maramani community. Our cultural and biological diversity heritage will be the ultimate winner," he said.
NGO the Children in the Wilderness donated the desks.
The Tourism Ministry through the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority and the National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority organised the expedition.
The tourists paid R12 000 registration fees to participate and the money will be shared between Zimbabwe, Mozambique and South Africa.
A third of the proceeds will be chanelled towards self-sustenance programmers for communities and disadvantaged children living within the Greater Mapungubwe TFCA.
The cycling showpiece started in the Tuli Circle between Botswana and Zimbabwe on August 5 and ended three days later between Zimbabwe and South Africa in the area once occupied by the Mapungubwe Kingdom.
Children in the Wilderness organiser Mr Blessing Munyanyiwa described the show as a great success adding that their target for next year was 700 participants.
The 2009 edition attracted 250 tourists.
source The Herald 13 August 2010
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